Tobacco stick holder



Jan. 12, 1965 R. LEWIS 3,165,208

TOBACCO STICK HOLDER Filed Sept. 5, 1962 l Z9 Z5 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,165,208 TOBAUCO STICK HULDER Robert L. Lewis, 18.11110): 146, liaxley, Ga. Filed Sept. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 221,588 1 Claim. (Cl. 214-5.5)

This invention relates to a tobacco stick holder, and has as its primary object the provision of a tobacco stick holder adapted to be mounted on a tobacco harvester so arranged that the tobacco stick may be moved rearward and away from the stringer as the leaves are tied on with the string, the arrangement being such as to facilitate the rearward movement of the stick, the insertion of the stick in the holder, and the removal of the stick when filled with strung tobacco leaves.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a holder of this character characterized by internal roller means oppositely mounted at opposite ends of a casing whereby the stick may be readily moved linearly, and the weight of the stick and the tobacco thereon serve to hold the stick in proper position at all times.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention, it may here be pointed out that tobacco is frequently harvested by means of a tobacco harvester drawn by a tractor, the tractor operating down a middle row between two rows planted with tobacco. The machine carries four seats for four croppers, that is, one cropper to each row of tobacco, and there is a small platform directly between the wheels on which a stick mover stands and performs his duty. As the harvester moves, the tobacco leaves are taken off the stalk by the four croppers who have one row on each side to handle and when the leaves have been removed from the stalk they are handed directly to a stringer who sits directly in front of the croppers, riding backward. The stringer takes the leaves and strings them on a stick which is positioned conveniently to him. When suflicient tobacco is strung on each stick, it is removed by the stick mover who places it on a pallet at the rear of the machine. An important object of this invention is the provision of an improved holder facilitating the insertion, movement, and removal of the stick by the stick mover.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter anddisclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of one form of tractor drawn tobacco harvester with which the stick holder of the instant invention may be advantageously employed.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a holder per se, the stick associated therewith being indicated in dotted lines; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken through the center line of the stick holder of FIG- URE 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, and

more particularly to FIGURE 1, there is generally indicated at 10 a tractor drawn tobacco harvester which includes a frame generally indicated at 11 and four trans-' 3,1552% Patented Jan. 12, 1965 instant invention generally indicated at 15. A platform 16 to the rear of the harvester accommodates a stick mover who takes the sticks 14 after they have been filled with strung tobacco and places them on a pallet 17 at the rear of the harvester. The harvester per se is of conventional sype and is adapted to be connected by a suitable hitch 18 to a tractor or other appropriate towing vehicle.

Each stringer is provided with a tunnel shaped member or stick holder 15, each of which is mounted on an upright 20 fixedly secured to the harvester frame in a suitable position immediately adjacent the seat 13 occupied by the stringer. Each holder comprises a rectangular boxlike structure including a top wall 21, a bottom wall 22, and spaced side walls 23. The holder 15 is upwardly inclined toward the rear of the harvester, as best shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the inclination being very slight. The holder is open at its front and rear ends as indicated at 24 and 25, respectively, and adjacent the front or lower end extending between side walls 23 and near the top 21 is a pin 26, the ends 27 of which extend through suitable openings oppositely aligned in side walls 23. The pin is surrounded by a freely rotating pipe section 28.

A similar pin 29 is mounted adjacent the rear end of the holder at a posiiton adjacent the bottom wall 22, and has its ends 30 fixedly mounted in suitable aligned openings in the side walls 23. Pin 29 is surrounded by a pipe or sleeve 31 substantially identical to the previously described pipe 28. The stick 14 is adapted to be positioned beneath the pipe or roller 28, and above the pipe or roller 31 and extend rearwardly, as best shown in FIGURE 1 at a slight incline. Each stringer positions each bunch after stringing on the stick 14 and progressively moves the stick as it is filled rearwardly to a position where it may be handled by the stick mover. When the stick is filled it is removed by the stick mover and placed on the pallet 17.

Stick holder 15 may be made in any desired size, although it has been found preferable to make each holder approximately 6" long, formed of square tubing approximately 2 /2" square with an 8" wall. The rollers may be formed of pipe on 4" pin, and although the invention is by no means restricted to such dimensions, these have been found convenient to accommodate the conventionally dimensioned stick 14.

By virtue of the rollers 28 and 31, sticks 14 may be readily and expeditiously moved by the stringers or stick movers with a minimum of time, effort, and difficulty, and new sticks may be positioned in the holders immediately and without binding or sticking.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved stick holder for tobacco harvesters which may be used with any standard type of harvester, and which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

In a tobacco harvester including a mobile frame, and a support rising from said frame, a holder for a tobaccostringing stick comprising a tunnel-shaped member having a front end and a rear end, a bottom, side walls rising from the bottom, and a top extending over the upper ends of said side walls, said member being fixedly secured to the upper end of said support with the front end facing away from the normal direction of movement of said frame and tilted upwardly at a small angle to the horizontal, a first horizontally disposed roller within said =3 member adjacent the front end thereof, a second horizontally disposed roller Within said member adjacent the rear end thereof, said first and second rollers having their ends rotatably supported in said member side walls, said first roller being adjaCenLSaid member bottom and spacedv from said member top and said second roller being adjacent said member top and spaced from said member bottom sothat a tobacco stringing stick when inserted by one end through the front end of said member may be supported on said first roller and when weighted on the portionof said stick exteriorly of the front end of said member will engage said second roller and Will be rollably supported by said first and 'secondrollers, the spacestbetween said first and second rollers and said member top and bottom, respectively, each being of a 7 size to permit free insertion of said tobacco stick through said spaces.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. GERALD M. FORLENZA, Examiner. 

